About the Catering Cost Calculator
What is the Catering Cost Calculator?
Caterers quote per plate, but extras, staff, transport and GST add a lot. This catering cost calculator gives the full bill and the effective cost per guest.
A buffer of extra plates covers unexpected guests.
How to use the Catering Cost Calculator
- Expected Guests (sample: 150)
- Extra Plates Buffer (%) (sample: 10)
- Price per Plate (₹) (sample: 450)
- Live Counters, Desserts and Extras (₹) (sample: 15,000)
- Service Staff Charges (₹) (sample: 8,000)
- Transport and Setup (₹) (sample: 5,000)
- GST Rate (sample: 18% (outdoor catering))
- Press Calculate Catering Cost (results also refresh as you type). The result card shows the Total Catering Cost, along with Plates to order, Food cost, Subtotal before GST and GST.
Formula used
Total = (Plates × Per-plate price + Extras + Staff + Transport) × (1 + GST)
- Plates = guests × (1 + buffer %), rounded up
Worked example
These are the sample values already filled in the calculator above, and the result it returns for them:
| Input | Sample value |
|---|---|
| Expected Guests | 150 |
| Extra Plates Buffer (%) | 10 |
| Price per Plate (₹) | 450 |
| Live Counters, Desserts and Extras (₹) | 15,000 |
| Service Staff Charges (₹) | 8,000 |
| Transport and Setup (₹) | 5,000 |
| GST Rate | 18% (outdoor catering) |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Catering Cost | ₹1,20,655 |
| Plates to order | 165 |
| Food cost | ₹74,250 |
| Subtotal before GST | ₹1,02,250 |
| GST | ₹18,405 |
| Effective cost per guest | ₹804.37 |
| Advance usually asked (30–50%) | ₹36,197 |
Tips for using the Catering Cost Calculator
- Confirm whether the per-plate price includes crockery, service and GST.
- A 5–10% buffer is usual; 15% for events with uncertain attendance.